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Bomi and Billy

There’s only one thing better than a heartfelt proposal: two of them. The first time Billy Choi proposed to Bomi Jin, in 2010, he planned a romantic picnic on New York City’s Governors Island, presenting her with a simple heart-shaped ring. It was all the struggling young dental student could afford to give his girlfriend of three years. (The pair met as undergrads at the University of Washington in Seattle, and both eventually moved to New York.) Then, in 2013, as they kicked off their planning with an engagement portrait session, Billy, now a dentist, surprised Bomi, a graphic designer for Nickelodeon, with the diamond sparkler he had always envisioned.

Bomi had a vision of her own—not of the ring, but for the wedding. She pictured something “classic and elegant, with vintage touches.” Thornewood Castle, a four-acre private estate 42 miles south of Seattle, checked all the right boxes and then some. “We loved the garden and that we could have the reception by the lake at sunset,” says Bomi. “But we also really liked that it had its own love story.” In 1907, Port of Tacoma founder Chester Thorne purchased the 400-year-old manor in England and had it brought over by ship, brick by brick, as a gift for his own bride.

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The Bridal Bouquet

Garden roses, ranunculus, and blushing bride proteas kept the bouquet “a little bit wild,” Bomi says. The arrangement, as well as the other floral elements, was dreamed up and created by McKenzie Powell.

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Traditional Elements

The bride and groom, each of whom spent their childhood in South Korea before moving to the Pacific Northwest with their families, followed the Korean tradition of bowing to their parents in thanks. They also bowed to show their commitment and love.

Fun for All

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The Reception

The lakefront reception’s rustic wood head table featured romantic flowers and votive candles. The festivities continued on the lawn, where, after a meal of wild salmon and grilled sirloin, a jazz band played Nat King Cole’s “For Sentimental Reasons” for the first dance.